The Federal Communications Commission is composed of five (5) members who are appointed by the president subject to confirmation by the Senate. Normally, one Commissioner is appointed or reappointed each year, for a term of five (5) years.

(a) One of the members of the Commission is designated by the President to serve as Chairman, or chief executive officer, of the Commission. As Chairman, he has the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) To preside at all meetings and sessions of the Commission.

(2) To represent the Commission in all matters relating to legislation and legislative reports; however, any other Commissioner may present his own or minority views or supplemental reports.

(3) To represent the Commission in all matters requiring conferences or communications with other governmental officers, departments or agencies.

(4) To coordinate and organize the work of the Commission in such a manner as to promote prompt and efficient disposition of all matters within the jurisdiction of the Commission.

(b) The Commission will, in the case of a vacancy in the Office of the Chairman of the Commission, or in the absence or inability of the Chairman to serve, temporarily designate one of its members to act as Chairman until the cause or circumstance requiring such designation has been eliminated or corrected.

(a) Principal staff units. The Commission is assisted in the performance of its responsibilities by its staff, which is divided into the following principal units:

(1) Office of Managing Director.

(2) Office of Engineering and Technology.

(3) Office of General Counsel.

(4) Office of Plans and Policy.

(5) Office of Public Affairs.

(6) Office of Legislative Affairs.

(7) Office of Administrative Law Judges.

(8) Office of Inspector General.

(9) Mass Media Bureau.

(10) Common Carrier Bureau.

(11) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

(12) International Bureau.

(13) Cable Services Bureau.

(14) Compliance and Information Bureau.

(b) Staff responsibilities and functions. The organization and functions of these major staff units are described in detail in §§ 0.11 through 0.151. The defense and emergency preparedness functions of the Commission are set forth separately, beginning at § 0.181. For a complete description of staff functions, reference should be made to those provisions. (See also the U.S. Government Organization Manual, which contains a chart showing the Commission's organization, the names of the members and principal staff officers of the Commission, and other information concerning the Commission.)

(c) Delegations of authority to the staff. Pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act, the Commission has delegated authority to its staff to act on matters which are minor or routine or settled in nature and those in which immediate action may be necessary. See subpart B of this part. Actions taken under delegated authority are subject to review by the Commission, on its own motion or on an application for review filed by a person aggrieved by the action. Except for the possibility of review, actions taken under delegated authority have the same force and effect as actions taken by the Commission. The delegation of authority to a staff officer, however, does not mean that he will exercise that authority in all matters subject to the delegation. In non-hearing matters, the staff is at liberty to refer any matter at any stage to the Commission for action, upon concluding that it involves matters warranting the Commission's consideration, and the Commission may instruct the staff to do so.

(d) Commission action. Matters requiring Commission action, or warranting its consideration, are dealt with by the Commission at regular monthly meetings, or at special meetings called to consider a particular matter. Meetings are normally held at the principal offices of the Commission in the District of Columbia, but may be held elsewhere in the United States. In appropriate circumstances, Commission action may be taken between meetings “by circulation”, which involves the submission of a document to each of the Commissioners for his approval.

(a) The Managing Director is appointed by the Chairman with the approval of the Commission. Under the supervision and direction of the Chairman, the Managing Director shall serve as the Commission's chief operating and executive official with the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Provide managerial leadership to and exercise supervision and direction over the Commission's Bureaus and Offices with respect to management and administrative matters but not substantive regulatory matters such as regulatory policy and rule making, authorization of service, administration of sanctions, and adjudication.

(2) Formulate and administer all management and administrative policies, programs, and directives for the Commission consistent with authority delegated by the Commission and the Chairman and recommend to the Chairman and the Commission major changes in such policies and programs.

(3) Assist the Chairman in carrying out the administrative and executive responsibilities delegated to the Chairman as the administrative head of the agency.

(4) Advise the Chairman and Commission on management, administrative, and related matters; review and evaluate the programs and procedures of the Commission; initiate action or make recommendations as may be necessary to administer the Communications Act most effectively in the public interest. Assess the management, administrative, and resource implications of any proposed action or decision to be taken by the Commission or by a Bureau or Office under delegated authority; recommend to the Chairman and Commission program priorities, resource and position allocations, management, and administrative policies.

(5) Plan and administer the Commission's Management by Objectives system. Assure that objectives, priorities, and action plans established by Bureaus and Offices are consistent with overall Commission objectives and priorities.

(6) Plan and administer the Commission's Program Evaluation System. Ensure that evaluation results are utilized in Commission decision-making and priority-setting activities.

(7) Direct agency efforts to improve management effectiveness, operational efficiency, employee productivity, and service to the public. Administer Commission-wide management programs.

(8) Plan and manage the administrative affairs of the Commission with respect to the functions of personnel and position management; labor-management relations; budget and financial management; information management and processing; organization planning; management analysis; procurement; office space management and utilization; administrative and office services; supply and property management; records management; personnel and physical security; and international telecommunications settlements.

(9) [Reserved]

(10) With the concurrence of the General Counsel, interpret rules and regulations pertaining to fees.

(b) The Secretary is the official custodian of the Commission's documents.

The Office of Inspector General is directly responsible to the Chairman as head of the agency. However, the Chairman may not prevent or prohibit the Office of Inspector General from carrying out its duties and responsibilities as mandated by the Inspector General Act Amendments of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-504) and the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 3), as amended. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities.

(a) Provide policy direction for and to conduct, supervise and coordinate audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Federal Communications Commission.

(b) Review existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to programs and operations of the Commission and to make recommendations in its required semiannual reports to Congress concerning the impact of such legislation or regulations on the economy and efficiency in the administration of these programs and operations, or the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in such programs and operations.

(c) Recommend policies and conduct or coordinate other activities to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of Commission programs, or detect and prevent fraud and abuse in Commission activities. Coordinate with other governmental agencies and non-governmental entities on these matters.

(d) Keep the Chairman of the Commission—and through him the other Commissioners—and the Congress fully and currently informed concerning fraud and other serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies relating to the administration of Commission programs and operations; recommend corrective action and report on the progress made in implementing such corrective action. In addition to providing the Chairman with the results of completed audits and inspections, the Inspector General shall prepare statutorily required reports, identified as such, to include:

(1) Semiannual reports summarizing activities of the office during the preceding six month period (due to the Chairman by April 30 and October 31);

(2) Special reports specifically identifying any serious or flagrant problems, abuses or deficiencies (due to the Chairman immediately upon discovery of these matters by the Inspector General).

The Office of Public Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Develop, recommend, coordinate and administer Commission objectives, plans and programs to enhance public understanding of and compliance with the Commission's regulatory requirements. Evaluate public information dissemination practices and develop methods of improving these practices.

(b) Act as the principal channel for communicating information to the news media, regulated industries, and the general public on Commission policies, programs, and activities. Make official announcements of Commission decisions and actions. Maintain liaison with the information media to facilitate the dissemination of news and information on FCC activities. Advise the Commission on public reaction to and comment on FCC policies and programs.

(c) Develop, recommend, coordinate and administer objectives, plans and programs to encourage participation by the public in the Commission's decision-making processes. Promote increased awareness within the Commission of the impact of Commission policies on the ability of consumers of communications services to participate in decisions that affect them. Evaluate the effectiveness of mechanisms developed and used to facilitate public input and develop new initiatives as appropriate.

(d) Serve as the Commission's pri-mary point of contact with individual consumers of communications services and with organizations of such consumers. Maintain liaison with consumers to facilitate an interchange of information and cooperative efforts to improve the Commission's information-gathering, policy-making, and information dissemination functions.

(e) Act as the principal point of public contact in disseminating information about Commission programs to promote equal employment opportunity and minority enterprise in Commission-regulated industries. Maintain liaison with industry representatives, women's and minority groups and other interested parties regarding public information about and public evaluation of these programs. Organize FCC seminars and serve as FCC spokesperson to outside organizations on these subjects.

(f) Develop and implement programs to assist in providing information to minority entrepreneurs engaged in or seeking to participate in telecommunications industries regulated by the Commission.

(g) Review Commission contract procurement policy to devise ways of increasing information about proposed Commission contracts received by minority contractors.

(h) Advise the Commission on its information dissemination and public participation policies, as they affect liaison with the information media, the public and the Commission's regulatees. Provide policy and program guidance to the bureaus and offices on these subjects based on feedback received through the information dissemination functions of the Office.

(i) Maintain liaison with the Compliance and Information Bureau regarding the press and news media, and consumer assistance and information activities of the Commission's field offices.

The Office of Legislative Affairs is directly responsible to the Commission. The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to legislation proposed by members of Congress or the Executive Branch and coordinate the preparation of Commission views thereon for submission to Congress or the Executive Branch.

(b) Coordinate with the Office of General Counsel responses to Congressional or Executive Branch inquiries as to the local ramifications of Commission policies, regulations, rules, and statutory interpretations.

(c) Assist the Office of the Managing Director in preparation of the annual report to Congress, the Commission budget and appropriations legislation to Congress; assist the Office of Public Affairs in preparation of the Commission's Annual Report.

(d) Assist the Chairman and Commissioners in preparation for, and the coordination of their appearances before the Committees of Congress.

(e) Coordinate the annual Commission legislative program.

(f) Coordinate Commission and staff responses to inquiries by individual members of Congress, congressional committees and staffs.

The Office of Plans and Policy, as a staff office to the Commission, assists, advises and makes recommendations to the Commission with respect to the development and implementation of communications policies in all areas of Commission authority and responsibility. A principal function of the Office is to conduct independent policy analyses to assess the long-term effects of alternative Commission policies on domestic and international communication industries and services, with due consideration of the responsibilities and programs of other staff units, and to recommend appropriate Commission action. The Office is also responsible for coordinating the policy research and development activities of other staff units, with special concern for matters which transcend their individual areas of responsibility. The Office is composed of legal, engineering, economic, and sociological policy analysts and other personnel, and is headed by a chief having the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To identify and define significant communications policy issues in all areas of Commission interest and responsibility;

(b) To conduct technical, economic, and sociological impact studies of existing and proposed communications policies and operations, including cooperative studies with other staff units and consultant and contract efforts as appropriate;

(c) To develop and evaluate alternative policy options and approaches for consideration by the Commission;

(d) To review and comment on all significant actions proposed to be taken by the Commission in terms of their overall policy implications;

(e) To recommend and evaluate governmental (state and federal), academic, and industry sponsored research affecting Commission policy issues;

(f) To prepare briefings, position papers, proposed Commission actions, or other agenda items as appropriate;

(g) To manage the Commission's policy research program, recommend budget levels and priorities for this program, and serve as central account manager for all contractual policy research studies funded by the Commission;

(h) To coordinate the formation and presentation of Commission positions in communications policy; represent the Commission at appropriate discussions and conferences.

(i) Develop and recommend procedures and plans for the effective handling of policy issues within the Commission.

The Office of Engineering and Technology has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To evaluate evolving technology for interference potential and to suggest ways to facilitate its introduction in response to Bureau initiatives, and advise the Commission and staff offices in such matters.

(b) Represent the Commission at various national conferences and meetings (and, in consultation with the International Bureau, at various international conferences and meetings) devoted to the progress of communications and the development of technical and other information and standards, and serve as Commission coordinator for the various national conferences when appropriate.

(c) To conduct scientific and technical studies in advanced phases of terrestrial and space communications, and special projects to obtain theoretical and experimental data on new or improved techniques.

(d) To advise the Commission concerning engineering matters, including the privacy and security of communications, involved in making or implementing policy or in resolving specific cases.

(e) To develop and implement procedures to acquire, store, and retrieve scientific and technical information useful in the engineering work of the Commission.

(f) To advise and represent the Commission on frequency allocation and spectrum usage matters.

(g) To render, in cooperation with the General Counsel and the Office of Plans and Policy, advice to the Commission, participate in and coordinate staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and render service and advice with respect to rule making matters and proceedings affecting more than one Bureau.

(h) To collaborate with and advise other Bureaus and Offices in the formulation of technical requirements of the Rules.

(i) To administer parts 2, 5, 15, and 18 of this chapter, including licensing, recordkeeping, and rule making.

(j) To perform all engineering and management functions of the Commission with respect to formulating rules and regulations, technical standards, and general policies for parts 15, 18 and § 63.100 of this chapter, and for type approval and acceptance, and certification of radio equipment for compliance with the Rules.

(k) To maintain liaison with other agencies of government, technical experts representing foreign governments, and members of the public and industry concerned with communications and frequency allocation and usage.

(l) To calibrate and standardize technical equipment and installations used by the Commission.

(m) To exercise authority as may be assigned or referred by the Commission pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

The Office of the General Counsel has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To advise and represent the Commission in matters of litigation.

(b) To advise and make recommendations to the Commission with respect to proposed legislation and submit agency views on legislation when appropriate.

(c) To interpret the statutes, international agreements, and international regulations affecting the Commission.

(d) To prepare and make recommendations and interpretations concerning procedural rules of general applicability and to review all rules for consistency with other rules, uniformity, and legal sufficiency.

(e) To conduct research in legal matters as directed by the Commission.

(f) In cooperation with the Office of Engineering and Technology, to participate in, render advice to the Commission, and coordinate the staff work with respect to general frequency allocation proceedings and other proceedings not within the jurisdiction of any single bureau, and to render advice with respect to rule making matters and proceedings affecting more than one bureau.

(g) To serve as the Commission's advocate for competition throughout the telecommunications industry and, specifically, to help to ensure that Commission policy development employs uniform or consistent analysis and that FCC policy encourages and promotes competitive market structures in affected industry segments by providing bureaus/offices with the necessary support to identify, evaluate, and effectively resolve competitiveness issues.

(h) To exercise such authority as may be assigned or referred to it by the Commission pursuant to section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(i) To cooperate with the International Bureau on all matters pertaining to space satellite communications.

(j) To interpret statutes and executive orders affecting the Commission's national defense responsibilities, and to perform such functions involving implementation of such statutes and executive orders as may be assigned to it by the Commission or the Defense Commissioner.

(k) To perform all legal functions with respect to leases, contracts, tort claims and such other internal legal problems as may arise.

(l) To issue written determinations on behalf of the Chairman, and otherwise act as the Chairman's designee on matters regarding the interception of telephone conversations, as required by the General Services Administration's regulations. 41 CFR 201-6.202 et seq.

(m) To advise the Commission in the preparation and revision of rules and the implementation and administration of ethics regulations and the Freedom of Information, Privacy, Government in the Sunshine and Alternative Dispute Resolution Acts.

(n) To assist and make recommendations to the Commission, and to individual Commissioners assigned to review initial decisions, as to the disposition of cases of adjudication and such other cases as, by Commission policy, are handled in the same manner and which have been designated for hearing.

(o) To serve as the principal operating office on ex parte matters involving restricted proceedings. To review and dispose of all ex parte communications received from the public and others.

The International Bureau has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) To initiate and direct the development and articulation of international telecommunications policies, consistent with the priorities of the Commission;

(b) To advise the Chairman and Commissioners on matters of international telecommunications policy, and on the adequacy of the Commission's actions to promote the vital interests of the American public in international commerce, national defense, and foreign policy;

(c) To develop, recommend, and administer policies, rules, standards, and procedures for the authorization and regulation of international telecommunications facilities and services, domestic and international satellite systems, and international broadcast services;

(d) To monitor compliance with the terms and conditions of authorizations and licenses granted by the Bureau, and to pursue enforcement actions in conjunction with appropriate bureaus and offices;

(e) To represent the Commission on international telecommunications matters at both domestic and international conferences and meetings, and to direct and coordinate the Commission's preparation for such conferences and meetings;

(f) To serve as the single focal point within the Commission for cooperation and consultation on international telecommunications matters with other Federal agencies, international or foreign organizations, and appropriate regulatory bodies and officials of foreign governments;

(g) To develop, coordinate with other Federal agencies, and administer the regulatory assistance and training programs for foreign administrations to promote telecommunications development;

(h) To provide advice and technical assistance to U.S. trade officials in the negotiation and implementation of telecommunications trade agreements, and consult with other bureaus and offices as appropriate;

(i) To conduct economic, legal, technical, statistical, and other appropriate studies, surveys, and analyses in support of international telecommunications policies and programs.

(j) To collect and disseminate within the Commission information and data on international telecommunications policies, regulatory and market developments in other countries, and international organizations;

(k) To work with the Office of Legislative Affairs to coordinate the Commission's activities on significant matters of international policy with appropriate Congressional offices;

(l) To promote the international coordination of spectrum allocations and frequency and orbital assignments so as to minimize cases of international radio interference involving U.S. licensees;

(m) To direct and coordinate, in consultation with other bureaus and offices as appropriate, negotiation of international agreements to provide for arrangements and procedures for coordination of radio frequency assignments to prevent or resolve international radio interference involving U.S. licensees;

(n) To ensure fulfillment of the Commission's responsibilities under international agreements and treaty obligations, and, consistent with Commission policy, to ensure that the Commission's regulations, procedures, and frequency allocations comply with the mandatory requirements of all applicable international and bilateral agreements;

(o) To oversee and, as appropriate, administer activities pertaining to the international consultation, coordination, and notification of U.S. frequency and orbital assignments, including activities required by bilateral agreements, the international Radio Regulations, and other international agreements;

(p) To advise the Chairman on priorities for international travel and develop, coordinate, and administer the international travel plan;

(q) To develop, recommend, and administer policies, rules, and regulations implementing the Commission's oversight responsibilities regarding COMSAT's participation in INTELSAT and INMARSAT;

(r) To exercise authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of matters within the jurisdiction of the International Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the International Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

The Mass Media Bureau develops, recommends and administers policies and programs for the regulation of all radio and television broadcast industry services. Advises and recommends to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and development of radio and television services. The Mass Media Bureau has the following duties and responsibilities:

(a) Process applications for authorizations in radio and television services, including conventional and auxiliary broadcast services (other than international broadcast services) and multi-point and multi-channel multi-point distribution services.

(b) Process applications for renewal of licenses and for assignment or transfer of ownership interests in such licenses.

(c) Participate in hearings before the Administrative Law Judges and the Commission.

(d) Plan and develop proposed rulemakings and conduct comprehensive studies and analyses (legal, engineering, social and economic) of various petitions for policy or rule changes submitted by industry or the public.

(e) Conduct studies and compile data relating to radio and television network operations necessary for the Commission to develop and maintain an adequate regulatory program.

(f) Investigate complaints and answer general inquiries from the public and handle political broadcasting and fairness doctrine complaints.

(g) [Reserved]

(h) To exercise authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of matters within the jurisdiction of the Mass Media Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Mass Media Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(a) The Office of Workplace Diversity (OWD), as a staff office to the Commission, shall develop, coordinate, evaluate, and recommend to the Commission policies, programs, and practices that foster a diverse workforce and promote and ensure equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. A principal function of the Office is to lead, advise, and assist the Commission, including all of its component Bureau/Office managers, supervisors, and staff, at all levels, on ways to promote inclusion and full participation of all employees in pursuit of the Commission's mission. In accordance with this function, the Office shall:

(1) Conduct independent analyses of the Commission's policies and practices to ensure that those policies and practices foster diversity in the workplace and ensure equal opportunity and equal treatment for employees and applicants; and

(2) Advise the Commission, Bureaus, and Offices of their responsibilities under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Section 501 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; Executive Order 11478; and all other statutes, Executive Orders, and regulatory provisions relating to workplace diversity, equal employment opportunity, nondiscrimination, and civil rights.

(b) The Office has the following duties and responsibilities:

(1) Through its Director, serves as the principal advisor to the Chairman and Commission officials on all aspects of workplace diversity, affirmative recruitment, equal employment opportunity, non-discrimination, and civil rights;

(2) Provides leadership and guidance to create a work environment that values and encourages diversity in the workplace;

(3) Is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies to foster a workplace whose diversity reflects the diverse makeup of the Nation, enhances the mission of the Commission, and demonstrates the value and effectiveness of a diverse workforce;

(4) Is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies that promote understanding among members of the Commission's workforce of their differences and the value of those differences and provide a channel for communication among diverse members of the workforce at all levels;

(5) Develops, implements, and evaluates programs and policies to ensure that all members of the Commission's workforce and candidates for employment have equal access to opportunities for employment, career growth, training, and development and are protected from discrimination and harassment;

(6) Develops and recommends Commission-wide workforce diversity goals and reports on achievements;

(7) Is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating programs and policies to enable all Bureaus and Offices to manage a diverse workforce effectively and in compliance with all equal employment opportunity and civil rights requirements;

(8) Works closely with the Associate Managing Director—Human Resources Management to ensure compliance with Federal and Commission recruitment and staffing requirements;

(9) Manages the Commission's equal employment opportunity compliance program. Responsibilities in this area include processing complaints alleging discrimination, recommending to the Chairman final decisions on EEO complaints within the Commission, and providing counseling services to employees and applicants on EEO matters;

(10) Develops and administers the Commission's program of accessibility and accommodation for disabled persons in accordance with applicable regulations;

(11) Represents the Commission at meeting with other public and private groups and organizations on matters counseling workplace diversity and equal employment opportunity and workplace diversity issues;

(12) Maintains liaison with and solicits views of organizations within and outside the Commission on matters relating to equal opportunity and workplace diversity.

The Common Carrier Bureau develops, recommends, and administers policies and programs for the regulation of services, facilities and practices of entities which furnish interstate communications service or interstate access service for hire—whether by wire, radio or cable—and of ancillary operations related to the provision of such services (excluding public coast stations in the maritime mobile services and multi-point and multi-channel multi-point distribution services and excluding matters pertaining exclusively to the regulation and licensing of wireless telecommunications services and facilities). The Bureau also develops, recommends, and administers policies and programs for the regulation of rates, terms and conditions under which communications entities furnish interstate communications service, interstate access service, and (in cooperation with the International Bureau) foreign communications service for hire—whether by wire, cable or satellite. The Bureau also performs the following functions:

(a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and licensing of communication common carriers and ancillary operations (other than matters pertaining exclusively to the regulation and licensing of wireless telecommunications services and facilities). This includes: Policy development and coordination; adjudicatory and rule making proceedings, including rate and service investigations; determinations regarding lawfulness of carrier tariffs; action on applications for service and facility authorizations; review of carrier performance; economic research and analysis; administration of Commission accounting and reporting requirements; compliance and enforcement activities; and any matters concerning wireline carriers that also affect wireless carriers in cooperation with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau.

(b) Collaborates with representatives of state regulatory commissions and with the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners in cooperative studies of common carrier and related matters.

(c) Advises and assists the public, other government agencies and industry groups on wireline common carrier regulation and related matters.

(d) Exercises such authority as may be assigned or referred to it by the Commission pursuant to Section 5(c) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended.

(e) Obtains from carriers and from persons directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control with, such carriers full and complete information necessary to enable the Commission to perform the duties and carry out the objectives for which it was created.

(f) Carries out the functions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, except as reserved to Commission under § 0.291.

(g) Acts jointly with the Office of Engineering and Technology on applications for registration of equipment to be directly connected to the telephone network, and acts on complaints brought by any party concerning the registration or operation of such equipment.

(h) Administers the Telecommunications Service Priority System with the concurrence of the Compliance and Information Bureau, and resolves matters involving assignment of priorities and other issues pursuant to part 64 of this chapter.

(i) Acts upon matters involving telecommunications relay services complaints and certification.

(j) Develops, in coordination with the Office of Plans and Policy, policies for the selection of licenses from mutually exclusive applicants in the Common Carrier Service subject to competitive bidding; issues Public Notices announcing auctions for Common Carrier Service Licenses; specifies the licenses to be auctioned; the deadlines for filing short-form applications, filing fees, and submission of upfront payments; the time and place of the auction; the method of competitive bidding to be used; competitive bidding procedures including, but not limited to, designated entity preferences, applicable bid submission procedures, upfront payment requirements, activity rules, stopping rules, and bid withdrawal procedures.

The Cable Services Bureau develops, recommends and administers policies and programs with respect to the regulation of services, facilities, rates and practices of cable television systems and with respect to the creation of competition to cable systems, and with respect to video programming services provided by other multichannel video programming distributors and multichannel video programmers. The Cable Services Bureau advises and recommends to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in matters pertaining to the regulation and development of cable television and other multichannel video programming services. The Bureau also performs the following functions:

(a) Administers and enforces rules and policies regarding:

(1) Cable television systems, operators, and services, including those relating to rates, technical standards, customer service, ownership, competition to cable systems, broadcast station signal retransmission and carriage, program access, wiring equipment, channel leasing, and federal-state/local regulatory relationships. This includes: acting, after Commission assumption of jurisdiction to regulate cable television rates for basic service and associated equipment, on cable operator requests for approval ofexisting or increased rates; reviewing appeals of local franchising authorities’ rate making decisions involving rates for the basic service tier and associated equipment, except when such appeals raise novel or unusual issues; acting upon complaints involving cable programming service rates except for final action on complaints raising novel or unusual issues; evaluating basic rate regulation certification requests filed by cable system franchising authorities; periodically reviewing and, when appropriate, revising standard forms used in administering: the Commission's complaint process regarding cable programming service rates; the certification process for local franchising authorities wishing to regulate rates, and the substantive rate regulation standards prescribed by the Commission;

(2) Access to poles, ducts, conduits and rights-of-way and the rates, terms and conditions for pole attachments, when such attachments are not regulated by a state and not provided by railroads or governmentally or cooperatively owned utilities, and complaints involving access to or rates, terms and conditions arising from pole attachments, except for final action on complaints raising novel or unusual issues;

(3) Open video systems;

(4) Preemption of restrictions on devices designed for over-the-air reception of television broadcast signals, multichannel multipoint distribution service, and direct broadcast satellite services;

(5) The commercial availability of navigational devices;

(6) The accessibility of video programming to persons with disabilities; and

(7) Scrambling of sexually explicit adult video programming by multichannel video programming distributors.

(b) Plans and develops proposed rulemakings and conducts studies and analyses (legal, engineering, social and economic) of various petitions for policy or rule changes submitted by industry or the public.

(c) Conducts studies and compiles data relating to multichannel video programming services necessary for the Commission to develop and maintain an adequate regulatory program.

(d) Advises and assists the public, other government agencies and industry groups.

(e) Administers financial and other reporting systems.

(f) Investigates complaints and answers general inquiries from the public.

(g) Participates in hearings before the Administrative Law Judges and the Commission.

(h) Processes applications for authorizations in the Cable Television Relay Service.

(i) Processes and acts on all applications for authorization, petitions for special relief, petitions to deny, waiver requests, requests for certification, objections, complaints, and requests for declaratory rulings and stays regarding the areas listed above, that do not involve novel questions of fact, law or policy that cannot be resolved under existing precedents and guidelines.

(j) Periodically reviews and, when appropriate, revises standard forms related to the areas listed above.

(k) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedule of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of the Cable Services Bureau. Before issuing a subpoena, the Cable Services Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(l) Carries out the functions of the Commission under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, except as reserved to the Commission under § 0.321.

(a) Enforce the Commission's Rules and Regulations; provide support to other governmental units, investigate all non-government communications matters; issue sanctions.

(b) Disseminate to the public on a local basis information regarding communications issues and Commission rules, policies, and programs.

(c) Collect information through a customer intelligence network to inform the Commission on the needs of its customer and on the impact of regulations and necessary refinements to them as suggested by the users and the public.

(d) Participate in international conferences dealing with monitoring and measurement; serve as the point of contact for the U.S. Government in matters of international monitoring, fixed and mobile direction-finding, and interference resolution. Provide technical and administrative support on the administration of the ITU Fellowship program and oversee coordination of non-routine communications and materials between the Commission and international or regional public organizations or foreign administrations.

(e) Reduce or eliminate interference to authorized communications. Promote private sector solutions to interference problems; investigate and resolve those unsuitable for private sector resolution or where the private sector is unable to provide solutions. Work, in conjunction with the Office of Engineering and Technology, with technical standards bodies.

(f) Perform investigations in support of Commission policies.

(g) Maintain, operate, and manage the toll-free telephone receiving center for complaint and inquiries. Coordinate with the Office of Public Affairs and maintain liaison with the rest of the agency to ensure that the needs of the public for information are handled promptly, accurately, and comprehensively and that complaints are directed to those charged with acting upon them.

(h) Under the general direction of the Defense Commissioner, coordinate the defense activities of the Commission, and provide support to the Defense Commissioner in his participation in the Joint Telecommunication Resources Board and the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, including recommendation of national emergency plans and preparedness programs covering Commission functions during national emergencies. Support the Chief, Common Carrier Bureau on assignment of Telecommunications Service Priority System priorities and the administration of this system. The Chief, Compliance and Information Bureau, or the designee of that person, acts as the FCC Defense Coordinator and the principal of the Commission to the National Communications System.

(a) Field offices are located throughout the United States. For the address and phone number of the closest office contact the Compliance and Information Bureau or see the U.S. Government Manual.

(b) Protected field offices are located at the following geographical coordinates:

The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau develops, recommends and administers the programs and policies for the regulation of the terms and conditions under which communications entities offer domestic wireless telecommunications services and of ancillary operations related to the provision of such services (satellite communications excluded). These functions include all wireless telecommunications service providers' and licensees' activities. The Bureau also performs the following specific functions:

(a) Advises and makes recommendations to the Commission, or acts for the Commission under delegated authority, in all matters pertaining to the licensing and regulation of wireless telecommunications, including ancillary operations related to the provision or use of such services; and any matters concerning wireless carriers that also affect wireline carriers in cooperation with the Common Carrier Bureau. These activities include: policy development and coordination; conducting rulemaking and adjudicatory proceedings, including licensing and complaint proceedings; acting on waivers of rules; acting on applications for service and facility authorizations; compliance and enforcement activities; determining resource impacts of existing, planned or recommended Commission activities concerning wireless telecommunications, and developing and recommending resource deployment priorities.

(b) Develops and recommends policy goals, objectives, programs and plans for the Commission on matters concerning wireless telecommunications, drawing upon relevant economic, technological, legislative, regulatory and judicial information and developments. Such matters include meeting the present and future wireless telecommunications needs of the Nation; fostering economic growth by promoting efficiency and innovation in the allocation, licensing and use of the electromagnetic spectrum; ensuring choice, opportunity and fairness in the development of wireless telecommunications services and markets; promoting economically efficient investment in wireless telecommunications infrastructure and the integration of wireless communications networks into the public telecommunications network; enabling access to national communications services; promoting the development and widespread availability of wireless telecommunications services. Reviews and coordinates orders, programs and actions initiated by other Bureaus and Offices in matters affecting wireless telecommunications to ensure consistency of overall Commission policy.

(c) Serves as the Commission's principal policy and administrative staff resource with regard to spectrum auctions. Administers all Commission spectrum auctions. Develops, recommends and administers policies, programs and rules concerning auctions of spectrum for wireless telecommunications. Advises the Commission on policy, engineering and technical matters relating to auctions of spectrum used for other purposes. Administers procurement of auction-related services from outside contractors. Provides policy, administrative and technical assistance to other Bureaus and Offices on auction issues.

(d) Regulates the charges, practices, classifications, terms and conditions for, and facilities used to provide, wireless telecommunications services. Develops and recommends consistent, integrated policies, programs and rules for the regulation of commercial mobile radio services and private mobile radio services.

(e) Develops and recommends policy, rules, standards, procedures and forms for the authorization and regulation of wireless telecommunications facilities and services, including all facility authorization applications involving domestic terrestrial transmission facilities. Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau regarding frequency assignment, coordination and interference matters.

(f) Develops and recommends responses to legislative, regulatory or judicial inquiries and proposals concerning or affecting wireless telecommunications.

(g) Develops and recommends policies regarding matters affecting the collaboration and coordination of relations among Federal agencies, and between the Federal government and the states, concerning wireless telecommunications issues. Maintains liaison with Federal and state government bodies concerning such issues.

(h) Develops and recommends policies, programs and rules to ensure interference-free operation of wireless telecommunications equipment and networks. Coordinates with and assists other Bureaus and Offices, as appropriate, concerning spectrum management, planning, and interference matters and issues, and in all compliance and enforcement activities. Studies technical requirements for equipment for wireless telecommunications services in accordance with standards established by the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.

(i) Advises and assists consumers, businesses and other government agencies on wireless telecommunications issues and matters relating thereto.

(j) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator program (part 13 of this chapter) and the Commission's program for registration, construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of this chapter).

(k) Coordinates with and assists the International Bureau with respect to treaty activities and international conferences concerning wireless telecommunications.

(l) Exercises such authority as may be assigned, delegated or referred to it by the Commission.

(m) Certifies frequency coordinators; considers petitions seeking review of coordinator actions; and engages in oversight of coordinator actions and practices.

(n) Administers the Commission's commercial radio operator (part 13 of this chapter) and amateur radio programs (part 97 of this chapter) and the program for construction, marking and lighting of antenna structures (part 17 of this chapter).

(o) Exercises authority to issue non-hearing related subpoenas for the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, schedules of charges, contracts, agreements, and any other records deemed relevant to the investigation of wireless telecommunications operators for any alleged violation or violations of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, or the Commission's rules and orders. Before issuing a subpoena, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau shall obtain the approval of the Office of General Counsel.

(p) Certifies, in the name of the Commission, volunteer entities to coordinate maintain and disseminate a common data base of amateur station special event call signs, and issues Public Notices detailing the procedures of amateur service call sign systems.

The Office of Administrative Law Judges consists of a Chief Administrative Law Judge, an Assistant Chief Administrative Law Judge, and as many other Administrative Law Judges qualified and appointed pursuant to the requirements of section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act as the Commission may find necessary. It is responsible for hearing and conducting all adjudicatory cases designated for any evidentiary adjudicatory hearing other than those designated to be heard by the Commission en banc, those designated to be heard by one or more members of the Commission, and those involving the authorization of service in the Instructional Television Fixed Service. The Office of Administrative Law Judges is also responsible for conducting such other hearings as the Commission may assign.